Grass clippings make up a surprisingly large portion of California's waste stream. California lawns can generate approximately 300 to 400 pounds of grass clippings per 1000 square feet annually, depending on turf variety, environmental conditions, and turf management practices. This can be as much as eight tons per acre each year! Much of this valuable green material is sent to landfills instead of being reused in our urban landscapes.
What is Grasscycling?
Grasscycling is the natural recycling of grass by leaving grass clippings on the lawn when mowing. Grass clippings are approximately 80-85 percent water, contain valuable nutrients, and decompose quickly. Grasscycling helps reduce fertilizer and water usage, which can protect local creeks and rivers from pollution since runoff from lawns can contain fertilizers and pesticides. Mowing time can also be reduced since the bagging and disposal of clippings is eliminated.
Proper mowing is required for successful grasscycling. It is best to cut grass when the surface is dry, and keep mower blades sharp (dull blades can shred grass and create a potential entryway for disease). Follow the "1/3 rule:" mow the lawn often enough so that no more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blade is removed in any one mowing. Proper mowing will produce short clippings that will not cover up the grass surface. You may have to cut the lawn more frequently, or double cut, when the lawn is growing fast, such as in the spring, but much less when the turf is growing slowly. Additionally, in many areas of California, raising the mowing height in the summer encourages deeper roots and protects grass from drought and heat damage.
